The sale's star - and the #1 sale of the Spring auctions - was Birds and Flowers by Hua Yan (1682-1756), which sold for HK$19,140,000 (US$2,457,576) - over three times its pre-sale estimate of HK$4,000,000-6,000,000.

Elsewhere, a work by Qi Baishi - 2009's #3 top selling artist, along with Picasso and Warhol - entitled Amarath, Crickets, Persimmon and Peaches starred at The Songde Tang Collection of Chinese Modern Paintings (also May 28).

The Baishi was the second highest seller in the Christie's auctions, bringing HK$10,628,000 (US$ 1,364,635). The sale totalled HK$ 95,684,500 (US$ 12,285,890) with 95.24% sold by lot.

According to Christie's the sale's success confirms the health of the Asian art market and the desire of Asian collectors to pursue the rarest and the best across different collecting categories.

"The art market in Asia is healthier than ever," said Franois Curiel, President of Christie's Asia.

"The buzz in Hong Kong at the time of the auctions was like I have never seen before, with collectors from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and around Asia competing for the finest works the market had to offer.

"While the rest of the economy is still recovering around the world, there does not seem to be any sign of a slowdown in the art market in Asia," he continued.